Meyer, Blythe Ready to Graduate

AMES, Iowa ? For Bret Meyer and Todd Blythe, it was the end for which football had been the means. Meyer, the all-time leading passer in Iowa State football history and Blythe, the all-time leading receiver were in Jack Trice Stadium Wednesday preceding Saturday's official graduation ceremony.

Blythe, who earned a bachelor's degree in liberal arts and sciences, leaves Thursday for mini-camp with the NFL's New Orleans Saints. Meyer, whose bachelor's degree is in communications studies, is still waiting on his football future after working out for the Washington Redskins last week. What both share is pride in having earned their college degrees.

“Everyone has a different journey,” Meyer said. “Some people go to junior college, some come right out of high school. My journey was coming out of high school and starting on the scout team, working my way up and I enjoyed every minute of it”

Meyer's perseverance on the field mirrored his determination to succeed in the classroom.

“There were times when I first got here that I struggled with school,” Meyer said. “But I made it a priority. I got it done and it definitely feels good to walk away with a degree”

Blythe also takes great pride in his degree.

“I think that it just shows you if you manage your time correctly, have a good support and a strong group of friends around you, you can be successful at both,” Blythe said.

For Blythe, an NFL journey begins Thursday.

“I leave Thursday morning, to fly down to New Orleans to start mini-camp,” Blythe said. “I worked out for about two and half months out in New Jersey getting ready for the NFL combine and after that I came back and have been working out on campus ever since.”

Meyer will wait and see.

“I'll stay in contact with my agent,” Meyer said. “I'll see what happens. I hope to stay and play football in the NFL or in a different league. We'll see what happens.”

While he bides his time with football for the short term, he knows his degree will figure large in his long term future.

Players Mentioned

Todd Blythe

Bret Meyer

Sponsors

Iowa State University Athletics